5 Tampa Bay Rays players refuse to wear the Pride patch

Five Tampa Bay Rays players refuse to wear a Pride patch.

Five Tampa Bay Rays players refused to wear a Pride patch on their uniforms. according to TMZ.

The players, all pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson all cited religious beliefs for not wearing the patch (see below).

“So it’s a tough decision. Because ultimately we’ve all said what we want is for them to know that everyone is welcome and loved here,” Adam said, according to the outlet. “But when we put it on our bodies, a lot of people have decided that maybe it’s just a lifestyle — not that they look down on anyone or think differently — it’s just that if we put it, we might not want to encourage it.” do Believe in Jesus who encouraged us to lead a lifestyle that renounces this behavior just as (Jesus) encourages me as a straight man to renounce sex outside of the confines of marriage. It is no different.”

Manager Kevin Cash says the clubhouse decision wasn’t entirely a good one, but things seemed to sort themselves out.

“It’s not judgmental. It doesn’t look down. It’s just what we believe the lifestyle he encouraged us to live for our own good is not deprived of. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them and we want them to feel safe and welcome here,” Adam said.

June is Pride month and many teams are showing their support in different ways.